Friday, July 31, 2015

ONLINE PARISH NOTES
2 AUGUST 2015

Juan de Juanes, Burial of St. Stephen, 1560


FROM THE RECTOR

This Sunday we keep our "summer patronal festival," transferred from August 3rd. In older calendars, this feast was known as the "Invention of the Relics of Saint Stephen," from the Latin invenio, "to discover, come upon, or find." I find the more contemporary usage "Finding of the Relics ..." less confusing. Oddly enough, my parish of origin in Pennsylvania was St. Stephen's, Norwood; and Fr. Yost comes to us from St. Stephen's, Sherman, Texas. Stephen is a good patron saint: one of the seven first deacons, the first martyr, and a bold preacher of the Gospel.

Within living memory, Saint Stephen's House, Oxford -- the English Anglo-Catholic seminary which is a faculty of Oxford University -- revived the celebration of the Finding of the Relics of Saint Stephen precisely because the principal feast of Stephen, on December 26, comes at a highly inconvenient time of the year for many parishes and educational institutions: the day after Christmas Day, and in the middle of the Christmas break. The beginning of August is not necessarily that much more convenient, coinciding as it does with summer vacations, but it at least affords a second chance for parishes and other institutions dedicated to St. Stephen to devote a day's celebration to our patron. Saint Stephen, Protomartyr, pray for us! -- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Finding of the Relics of Saint Stephen
Jeremiah 26:1-9, 12-15 


ANNOUNCEMENTS

Sunday Mass in Lady Chapel – The Sunday 10 am Mass continues to be offered in the Lady Chapel. The work is scheduled to be completed sometime this month.

When Receiving Communion – in the Lady Chapel at the 10 am Mass during the summer, please leave a space open to the left of the altar rail on the left, so that those who have received may exit and return to their chairs via the nave aisle. Feel free to stand to receive either at the altar rail or in the space between if kneeling presents a problem.

August Year’s Mind – Departed parishioners whose anniversaries fall during August will be prayed for at the Monthly Requiem on Monday 3 August at 6 pm, preceded by Evening Prayer at 5:30. If you have any additional names to be remembered, please let Fr. Yost know.

Summer Patronal Festival – With the Bishop’s permission, his morning we keep the feast of the Finding of the Relics of St. Stephen at both Masses, which commemorates the finding of the relics of Saint Stephen in the year 415 by the priest Lucian at a place called Caphar-Gamala near Jerusalem. Churches dedicated to Saint Stephen sometimes keep this feast as a patronal festival in addition to Saint Stephen’s Day on December 26th.

Transfiguration & Assumption – This Thursday 6 August, the Feast of the Transfiguration will be kept at St. John’s Newport at Mass at 6:30 pm, as we continue to offer joint celebrations for both parishes. Fr. Yost will preach. On Saturday 15 August at 11 am, we will keep the Feast of the Assumption with Sung Mass at 11 am in our Lady Chapel. Fr. Nathan Humphrey, vicar of St. John’s, will preach. All are welcome and invited to attend.


FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Nicholas, Patricia, Jonno, Nancy, Townsend, Norman, Elva, Ethel, Andrea, Marion, Sue, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Harrington, Kate, Davaughn, Bernice, Ellen-Jean, Richard, Sandy, Angela, Bobby, Sally, Rhoda, Ned, Henry, James, and Dianne.

The faithful departed: Year’s mind: Theresa Jarvis (4 August 2011); Recently Departed: The Rev. Lane Davenport

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Church in Renk (Sudan): The Rt. Rev’d Jospeh Garang Atem; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces of our nation.


THE SUNDAY ROTA

Server – R Armidon
Lector – R G Noble
Ushers – R Viti, T Bledsoe
Coffee Hour – P Fuller, T Oakes, K Vorbeck Williams


THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS 

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 8 August
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 2 August
FINDING OF THE RELICS OF SAINT STEPHEN (R)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am (Lady Chapel)

Daily Office & Mass Lectionary: Proper 13, Year 1

Monday 3 August
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Requiem Mass (with prayers for August departed) 6 pm

Tuesday 4 August
Jean-Baptiste Vianney, CurĂ© d’Ars, Spiritual Guide, 1859 (W)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Wednesday 5 August
Oswald, King of Northumbria, Martyr, 642 (R)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Thursday 6 August
TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD (W)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am
(High Mass at St. John the Evangelist, Newport 6:30 pm)

Friday 7 August
John Mason Neale, Priest, Scholar, Hymn Writer, 1866 (W)
Angelus 12 Noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 8 August
Dominic, Friar, Founder of the Order of Preachers, 1221 (W)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am

Sunday 9 August
ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am (Lady Chapel)

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (August 9)

Proper 14, Year B
1 Kings 19:4-8
Psalm 34:1-8
Ephesians 4:25-5:2
John 6:35, 41-51

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

ONLINE PARISH NOTES
26 JULY 2015


The Feeding of the Five Thousand
Ambrosius Francken the Elder, 1598


FROM THE RECTOR

This Sunday's Gospel reading tells the story of how Jesus fed the five thousand in the wilderness. The miracle was the multiplication of five loaves and two fishes -- no more and no less -- to meet the needs of all present (and let's not have any reductionist nonsense about "a miracle of sharing"). The good news is that when we gather as the People of God in the Eucharistic Assembly, Jesus feeds us as well, with his Word and Sacrament -- no matter what what wilderness we may be experiencing in the rest of our lives. In the words of the Letter to the Hebrews, "let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near" (10:24-25). -- Fr. John D. Alexander


THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Proper 12, Year B
2 Kings 4:42-44
John 6:1-21


ANNOUNCEMENTS

Sunday Mass in Lady Chapel – The Sunday 10 am Mass continues to be offered in the Lady Chapel. The work is scheduled to be completed during August.

When Receiving Communion – in the Lady Chapel at the 10 am Mass during the summer, please leave a space open to the left of the altar rail on the left, so that those who have received may exit and return to their chairs via the nave aisle.

Society of Mary –  will meet this Saturday 1 August for 9 am Morning Prayer, 9:30 Mass, and recitation of the Rosary followed by a meeting including breakfast. Everyone is invited.

Summer Patronal Festival – On Sunday 2 August we will keep the feast of the Finding of the Relics of St. Stephen at the 10 am Mass, which commemorates the finding of the relics of Saint Stephen in the year 415 by the priest Lucian at a place called Caphar-Gamala near Jerusalem. Churches dedicated to Saint Stephen sometimes keep this feast as a patronal festival in addition to Saint Stephen’s Day on December 26th.

Transfiguration & Assumption – On Thursday 6 August, the Feast of the Transfiguration will be kept at St. John’s Newport at Mass at 6:30 pm, as we continue to offer joint celebrations for both parishes. On Saturday 15 August at 11 am, we will keep the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary with Sung Mass at 11 am in our Lady Chapel. All are welcome and invited to attend.


FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Nicholas, Patricia, Jonno, Nancy, Townsend, Norman, Elva, Ethel, Andrea, Lane, Marion, Sue, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Harrington, Kate, Davaughn, Bernice, Ellen-Jean, Richard, Sandy, Angela, Bobby, Sally, Rhoda, Ned, Henry, James, and Dianne.

The faithful departed: Year’s mind: Helen W. Williams (28 July 1996), Anillo William Esposito (31 July 1985), and Esther Lahiff-Naylor (1 August 1989); Recently Departed: Evelyn Baum

Birthdays this week: Rollin Bartlett (July 30th), Nancy Anderson Gingrich (July 31st)

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Church in Quebec (Canada): The Rt. Rev’d Dennis Paul Drainville; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the leadership and people of St. James, North Providence, St. James, Woonsocket and St. Ann’s, Block Island.


THE SUNDAY ROTA

Server – R Armidon
Lector – P Martin
Ushers – G Ryan, L Verdelotti
Coffee Hour – S Brazil & N Gingrich


THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Saturday 1 August
Society of Mary (following Mass & Recitation of the Rosary)

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 1 August
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 26 July
NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am (Lady Chapel)

Daily Office & Mass Lectionary: Proper 12, Year 1

Monday 27 July
Feria (G)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Tuesday 28 July
Samson of Dol, Bishop, Abbot, 565 (W)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Wednesday 29 July
Mary, Martha, and Lazarus of Bethany (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Thursday 30 July
William Wilberforce, Social Reformer, 1833 (W)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Friday 31 July
Ignatius of Loyola, Founder of the Society of Jesus, 1556 (W)
Angelus 12 Noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 1 August
Alphonsus Liguori, Teacher, 1787 (W)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am
Holy Rosary 10 am

Sunday 2 August
FINDING OF THE RELICS OF SAINT STEPHEN (R)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am (Lady Chapel)

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (August 2)

Finding of the Relics of Saint Stephen
Jeremiah 26:1-9, 12-15 

Thursday, July 9, 2015

ONLINE PARISH NOTES
12 JULY 2015

Masaccio, Beheading of St. John the Baptist, 1426

FROM THE RECTOR

In Catholic tradition, the month of July is dedicated to the Precious Blood of Jesus. In the Northern Hemisphere, July comes in the middle of the summer. It is a time when crops planted in the Spring grow towards maturity. For many, schedules are relaxed, work slows down a bit, and people have the opportunity to go on vacation and travel. The temptation may also be to relax our attendance at Mass. But this is always a mistake. Just as summer crops need rain to survive and grow, and just as the cells in our bodies need the circulation of blood to survive and stay healthy, so we, as members of the mystical Body of Christ need the regular infusion of the Sacrament of our Lord's Body and Most Precious Blood to sustain our spiritual life and growth. -- Fr. John D. Alexander


THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS



ANNOUNCEMENTS

Welcome to all visitors and guests – we’re glad that you’re here. Please join us after the 10 am Mass for coffee and refreshments in the Great Hall, upstairs. Today’s coffee hour is hosted by the Huff/Callanan family.

Sunday Mass in Lady Chapel – The Sunday 10 am Mass continues to be offered in the Lady Chapel. The work on the sanctuary floor is scheduled to be completed in about a month’s time.

Eucharistic Adoration – This Saturday 18 July, the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament will sponsor approximately an hour of silent prayer and meditation in the Lady Chapel before the Blessed Sacrament, beginning shortly after the end of the 9:30 am Mass, and concluding by 11 am. All are welcome and invited to participate.


FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Nicholas, Patricia, Evelyn, Jonno, Nancy, Townsend, Norman, Elva, Ethel, Andrea, Marion, Sue, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Harrington, Kate, Davaughn, Bernice, Ellen-Jean, Sandy, Angela, Bobby, Sally, Rhoda, Ned, Henry, James, and Dianne.

The faithful departed: Year’s mind: John Austin MacIntyre, Sr. (16 July 1992); Recently Departed: The Rev. Dr. Richard Cornish Martin.

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Church in Peru - (South America): The Rt. Rev’d Dr. Harold William Godfrey, Suffragan Bishop of Peru - (South America): The Rt. Rev’d Michael Alexander Chapman; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray leadership and people of St. Anne’s, Block Island.


THE SUNDAY ROTA

Ushers – T Oakes, S Brazil
Coffee Hour – Huff/Callanan Family


THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 18 July
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 12 July
SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am (Lady Chapel)

Daily Office & Mass Lectionary: Proper 10, Year 1

Monday 13 July
Feria (G)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Tuesday 14 July
Feria (G)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Wednesday 15 July
Bonaventure, Friar, Bishop, Teacher, 1274 (W)
Swithun, Bishop of Winchester, c. 862
Vladimir of Kiev, first Christian ruler in Russia, 1015
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Thursday 16 July
Osmund, Bishop of Salisbury, 1099 (W)
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Patron of the State of Rhode Island
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Friday 17 July
Feria (G)
Angelus 12 Noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 18 July
Elizabeth Ferrard, Founder of the Community of Saint Andrew, 1883 (W)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am
Holy Rosary 10 am

Sunday 19 July
EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am (Lady Chapel)

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (July 19)

Proper 11, Year B
Jeremiah 23:1-6

Thursday, July 2, 2015

ONLINE PARISH NOTES
5 JULY 2015

The Twelve Apostles

FROM THE RECTOR

The 78th General Convention of the Episcopal Church is now concluding (as of Friday 3 July) in Salt Lake City. We give thanks for the election of the Rt. Rev. Michael Curry of North Carolina as Presiding Bishop  (he is actually Presiding Bishop-Elect until November 1 when he formally takes office), and we pray for God's blessing upon his Primacy. Thanks are due to the Rhode Island Deputation for their many hours of hard work. I hope to post a summary of the legislative actions of the Convention in the near future. There is much to study and assimilate. Meanwhile, the life of worship, service, and fellowship in the parish continues; we look forward to seeing you on Sunday. -- Fr. John D. Alexander


THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Proper 9, Year B (RCL)
Ezekiel 2:1-5

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Welcome to all visitors and guests – we’re glad that you’re here. Please join us after the 10 am Mass for coffee and refreshments in the Great Hall, upstairs.

Sunday Mass in Lady Chapel – The Sunday 10 am Mass continues to be offered in the Lady Chapel. The work on the sanctuary floor is scheduled to be completed in about a month’s time.

Society of Mary – will meet this Saturday, July 11th for 9 am Morning Prayer, 9:30 Mass, then recitation of the Rosary. Everyone is invited.


FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Nicholas, Patricia, Jonno, Nancy, Townsend, Norman, Elva, Ethel, Andrea, Marion, Sue, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Harrington, Kate, Davaughn, Bernice, Ellen-Jean, Sandy, Angela, Bobby, Sally, Rhoda, Ned, Henry, James, and Dianne.

The faithful departed: Year’s mind: Albert S. Cook (7 July 1998), Marian Higgins (10 July 2000), and Hamilton Webb (11 July 2011). Recently Departed: The Rev. Dr. Richard Cornish Martin.

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Church in Oyo - (Ibadan, Nigeria): The Rt. Rev’d Williams Oluwarotimi Aladekugbe; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for our country, the President of the United States and all in civil authority, for Congress & Courts of Justice, and for sound government.


THE SUNDAY ROTA

Ushers – B Lennihan, J Steiny
Coffee Hour – Rejto/Elliot Family


THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Saturday 11 July
Society of Mary (Following Mass & Recitation of the Rosary)

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 11 July
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 5 July
SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am (Lady Chapel)

Daily Office & Mass Lectionary: Proper 9, Year 1

Monday 6 July
Thomas More, Scholar, and John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester, Martyrs, 1535 (or June 22) (R)
Sexburga, Abbess of Ely, 699

Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Tuesday 7 July
Palladius, Apostle of Ireland, 5th century (W)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Wednesday 8 July
Aquila and Priscilla, Companions of Saint Paul, Martyrs, 1st century (R)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Thursday 9 July
Feria (G)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Friday 10 July
Feria (G)
Angelus 12 Noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 11 July
Benedict of Nursia, Abbot, Father of Western Monasticism, Patron of Europe, c. 550 (W)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am
Holy Rosary 10 am

Sunday 12 July
SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am (Lady Chapel)

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (July 12)

Proper 10, Year B
Amos 7:7-15